Plastic Noise Experience

Interview by Wednesday Elektra

Wednesday: How are things going for the Plastic Noise Experience [PNE] in 2005?

Actually it is Stephan M. Kalwa (Your Schizophrenic Pal) answering your
questions even though Plastic Noise Experience does not musically exist
as the same band anymore but since 'Noised' was my partnership with
Claus the label thought it would be appropriate for me to answer your
questions.

Wednesday: Please tell us a little bit about PNE and how you came to
form the band back in 89.

We met in a small discotheque in Mindon, which is our home town, and got
to know each other in late 1989 and realized we were on the same
wavelength. We talked about music and whatever then planned to get
together and start experimenting on a musical project. We made some
experiments together and noticed that we liked the results and so we
called our project Plastic Noise Experience and that was all.

Wednesday: Has the band changed much over the years - if so, in what
ways?

Other than Claus turning PNE into really a solo project that is not
remotely the same as the past releases on Van Richter I would say the
song writing and programming had improved from the past two release
'-196C' and 'Neural Transmission'

Wednesday: How will PNE change in the future now that SM Kalwa is no
longer apart of the project - are there plans to continue on as PNE or
do you have other projects in the works?

This is why I am answering your questions to clarify the situation. I
left because I was discouraged with a dying EBM scene which we started
in so long ago but still remain in obscurity because of the small amount
of fan support. Again Claus has turned PNE into his personal solo
project which is completely devoid of the special signature sound we
made together. The press always compared us to the older works of
minimalist stripped sounds like Front Line Assembly. Unfortunately that
is now gone after 'Noised' forever.

Wednesday: What is the music scene like in Germany for Industrial-based
bands?

Sadly like the states (I hear) we are facing ultimately extinction of
the genre because people don't support the bands (in any genre like they
used to). Now less bands want to create music worldwide because they
can't make a living which is a sad thing to say the least.

Wednesday: Have you been apart of Maschinenfest or any other festivals
in Germany? If so, what was the experience like? If not are you planning
on playing any festivals in the future?

Very good. Definitely the European Festival scene has helped the
underground sub culture survive until now. Also other great festivals we
have experienced are Euro Rock and Wave Trekken.

Wednesday: Tell us about your last release "Noised."

The first twelve tracks are from our import release "Rauschen" which has
been out of print since the 90's. The next six songs are titles we
worked on but never released before including a cover version from the
movie Hellraiser III which was originally recorded by Motorhead.
The "Rauschen" titles were also remastered for this special last PNE
release

Wednesday: What other albums have you released in the past and how are
they similar or different from "Noised"?

I personally like the "Rauschen" stuff very much. It let me recognize
some "Jesus and Mary Chain"influences, ok they made guitar-music, but
they had their place in my life and even people who don't listen to
Electro-music can see this. 'Noised' certainly is a more aggressive
release than our past titles.

Wednesday: How did you come to be involved with Van Richter Records?

Van Richter initially worked with the now defunct KK and GA Records to
get our music recorded and released in North America. Thereafter Van
Richter worked directly with myself and Claus to get new titles
recorded, released and promoted.

Wednesday: Do you celebrate Halloween in Germany, if so how is it
similar/different to how we celebrate it over here in North America?

I am told we have some very different customs regarding Halloween
compared to America as we don't do the trick or treating as you do as
well as not all our events are meant to frighten people. Of course
Europe has a long history of horror dating back to Romania etc....

Wednesday: What are some of your all time favorite horror movies and
what are so me of your favorite characters from them?

Hellraiser, The Exorcist, Last House on the Left. The older horror
classics from the 70's and 80's in my opinion have the best plots.
Pinhead is an all time favorite character.

Wednesday: What is the scariest thing that has ever happened to you
personally?

I found a close friend dead after he committed suicide.

Wednesday: Do you have any haunting stories you can share with us?

His death still haunts me as he was dead two weeks before I found him in
the heat of the summer in his flat. The stench still haunts me to date
even though it happened back in 1988.

Wednesday: Thanks for the interview. Where can our readers go online to
check out your works and how can they get in touch with you?

Go to www.vanrichter.net/pne.html and send email from there under
feedback.